February 2017 - Depression Treatment Helpline

Depression in old age gets better with social networks

Old age is romanticized as the period for reflecting back on life, to bask in the achievements of youth and to spend time with grandchildren, as one tells them stories while sitting on the porch. However, the reality is mostly not so, as aged adults find themselves living alone or in old-age homes. Those staying alone are not able to socialize as mobility becomes a problem and some are not able to connect with the new company or adjust in new surroundings in old-age homes. The distance from people or social gatherings and lack of interest in socializing by older adults greatly affect their physical and mental health. The inability to connect with people or lack of opportunities to do so can result in feelings of loneliness, sadness, anxiety and depression. Read more

Brain injuries lead to depression in soldiers, suggests study

February 13, 2017/in Depression, mental disorders, Mental Illness /by Depression Treatment Helpline Team

The line of fire is not a pleasant place to be, and who knows that better than a soldier. These brave men not only fight to keep their country safe, but also deal with seclusion while on duty. Such lonely and forlorn times away from the loved ones may alone lead to mental disorders, with depression topping the chart. Besides loneliness, the haunting images of war and other tough missions often trigger the symptoms of mental conditions among soldiers. Read more

Can journaling help in reducing depression?

February 10, 2017/in Depression, treatment /by Depression Treatment Helpline Team

Journaling is one of the best ways to deal with depression and other related maladies. Interestingly, writing a journal has a positive effect on both physical and mental health of an individual. One can record his or her daily activities, thoughts, feelings and interactions with others in a diary as an effective stress relief exercise. A person can write anything and everything, ranging from one’s thoughts and fears to one’s reactions to the events of a particular day. Precisely, journaling helps a person become more confident by providing a useful insight into how one’s sees oneself and the world around him or her. Read more

Depressive symptoms likely in users of multiple social media platforms: Study

February 8, 2017/in Anxiety, Depression /by Depression Treatment Helpline Team

Social media has revolutionized the way people communicate by providing multiple platforms for exchanging ideas, promoting socially-relevant causes and enabling real-time updates. It has spawned a culture of information sharing which is concise, interactive and visually attractive. Not surprisingly, social media usage has increased substantially and people are using multiple platforms for various purposes. But the good part seems to end here. Read more

Using magic mushrooms to treat depression in cancer patients

February 6, 2017/in Depression, depressive disorder /by Depression Treatment Helpline Team

Over the last decade, there has been a spurt in the use of opioids for pain management. Since the chronic use of pain-relieving drugs is associated with serious complications, including addiction and overdose, scientists are consistently working toward finding new, less harmful remedies. Lately, researchers have been exploring the potential role of psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound found in mushrooms, for its contribution in mental health. Read more

5 signs of depression

February 3, 2017/in Depression, depressive disorder, Mental Health /by Depression Treatment Helpline Team

Every person might be suffering from a secret sorrow that he or she desperately tries to hide from the world to avoid showing his or her darker side and problems. In an attempt to appear brave even during tough times, people avoid sharing their agonies and problems with family and friends. As a result, the debilitating symptoms of depression steadily overwhelm them.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 16.1 million American adults in the age group 18 and above had at least one major depressive episode in 2015, representing 6.7 percent of all U.S. citizens. These statistics once again highlight the growing menace of depression among people. With the number of outstanding obligations multiplying in the modern time, there seems no end to the increased levels of stress in the society. Read more